written by staff writer Javier Morales
In a recent advertisement for “Red Band Society”, on FOX network, many people were angered by an image promoting the new show where Octavia Spencer’s character was represented with the title “Scary Bitch” labeled on her coffee cup. The Hollywood Reporter then wrote this lead to activists, demanding the ad to be taken down. In compliance, Metro removed the ad and apologized on social media sites (like twitter) about the incident.
This incident raised the question of whether political correctness is now on the verge of being overused or if we have simply gotten used to not caring if we offend someone. The answer may be both.
Throughout the years, people have come to terms that equality is best for moving forward in life and having everyone happy. But above all, we are our own person, with our own opinions. So trying to please everyone seems to put us into a society where if you make just one person mad about what you do, it’s an outrage that it was done in the first place.
What is causing everyone to be so cautious on what they say now? One reason may be where the right of freedom of speech is questioned and now received limitations. Justice.gov explains that certain words, if used, can be seen as a hate crime.
Another reason, being political correctness, since it gives off the attitude of, “if it’s not nice to say to just one person, don’t say it at all”. So it seems this attitude can bring sensitivity to almost anything people say & can also lead us to easily interpret said things as offensive.
There are still limits on how far a person’s actions and sayings can go without becoming an issue, but the limits of these actions are starting to increase over time.
An added factor to this situation (that’s also not helping us), is how people seem to become accustomed to slurs and actions that offend some, and seem to find “excusable ways” to justify their actions. Saying how it’s acceptable because it’s funny to them, or it’s okay because they don’t mean it. But can this lead to more problems in the near future?
Music and television shows have seemed to be the culprits of this, as time has shown, that little has been done to really censor all that comes from music artists and show writers. Also, there still seems to be no stop anywhere in sight.
Outside of media, many things can offend people on a daily basis of life. People may not notice it because they’ve become tolerant to things that can offend other ethnicities, genders and religious beliefs.
A compromise many people should try and consider is to think before you speak or do anything, so you can take some time to evaluate whether it’s a smart or offensive thing to say. On the other hand, to also understand that not everything is meant to be offensive, although it may come off that way at first glance.
Years from now, we’ll be able to see if we’ve become strict and sensitive to whatever anyone says, or if we become accustomed to everything and are not offended by anything. But for now, being wise about what you decide to think and say can benefit us all.
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